§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will publish any guidelines issued by his own 115W Department to regional health authorities on the privatisation of their services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanHealth authorities were asked in September 1983 to put their domestic, catering and laundry services out to tender. Detailed guidance has been issued by the Department to authorities on how the process should be carried out. Copies of the most recent guidance (November 1987) which updated and refined earlier guidance have been placed in the library. We encourage health authorities to consider the possibility of competitive tendering in any area of their services where this is seen to offer scope for increased effectiveness and value for money. Progress has been made by authorities in extending the range of services subjected to tendering.